Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Businesses are to be asked for their views about Rotherham – what's good, bad and what needs to change – as part of a consultation which will shape future services in the borough.

The "Views from Rotherham" consultation is launched online this month and will be accompanied by a number of roadshows visiting organisations and community groups.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first business-focused event on June 16, hosted by the leader of the council, and will have a commissioner attending.

After a number of reports highlighted serious failings across the authority, an intervention package was announced and saw commissioners appointed who will provide new leadership and take on all executive functions of the authority.

An unprecedented step, the five commissioners have been appointed for a period of up to four years and could be in charge of the Council until March 2019.

Each of the commissioners will consider significant decisions in their own areas of responsibility, working alongside elected members and senior managers.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "In rebuilding our town, and trust and confidence in local services, we need to listen to local people.

"We need to get things right on how we address the issue of child sexual exploitation - but that’s just the beginning. How do we go about providing security for elderly people in retirement? How do we secure the jobs that young people need to give them a prosperous future? What's the council's role in all of that?

"We want to hear from as many people as possible – your hopes, your concerns, what we need to do more of and, where we've gone wrong, what we need to do about it."

Based around providing "a fresh start," a draft Improvement Plan for Rotherham Council was discussed at a recent full council meeting.